Jan
09

Finding the Courage to be Creative

by Linda Makins

Do you consider yourself to be a creative person? Many think they are not creative however they walk through life solving problems all the time. That is pretty much the essence of  creativity-problem solving. As an Interior Designer, that is what I do. I solve problems.

So, with that in mind, I begin 2012 contemplating my own creativity. When I look back, I see that there were times over the course of my career that my creativity was waning. Sometimes I was over worked and burned out. When that happened, no matter how hard I tried, the solution just would not come. Then suddenly, when I relaxed, ‘poof’, there was the solution standing right in front of me. Have you had that experience in your own life? You want to find a solution so badly that you actually interfere with your own creative thought process.

Another reason my creativity has been stiffled in the past was because I became too focused on other more pragmatic things. There is nothing that can squash the creative spark more than getting too caught up in the ‘business’ of design. When we try to meet arbitrary deadlines or try to squeeze the process, inspiration falls flat.  

A few years ago I decided to take a break from design. I was no longer enjoying my work. I felt like I just could not come up with any new ideas! It was all starting feel more like a job than a career. I wondered if this was a sign that it was time to retire or to move onto another line of work. But fortunately,taking a sabatical allowed me to reconnect with who I was– not only as a person but as a creative person. I saw the world in a different light. I slowed down and when I slowed down the creative ideas started to emerge once more. Renewed and refreshed I came back, this time working at a much slower pace. Now, I allow myself to enjoy the creative process and stand behind my conviction that good design takes time.

Today, I invite my clients to walk the path of creativity with me. Having worked in this industry for over 25 years I have learned one thing– when a client allows you to be the creative person that you are, they get more than their money’s worth because design is an art form and you must allow it to emerge in its own way.  It takes courage to be creative. I invite you to let go and enjoy the process with your interior designer. You may find it to a be a most exhillarating experience!

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Mar
30

Avoiding ‘Owners’ Revolt’

by Linda Makins

When I tell people that I specialize in condo refurbishments I get the same reaction. “Oh my, that must be so challenging!”
Yes, it’s no secret that designing for a committee rather than a single client has its challenges. Over the years though, I have learned to appreciate that boards have their own set of challenges. Not only must they (as volunteers) ensure that the corporation is run in a fiscally responsible manner, they are subject to the wrath of unhappy owners. So when I sit across from a condo board at the beginning of a refurbishment project, I appreciate their concern that the new design will be poorly received by the owners. And I doesn’t matter what the size or scope of the project- there is always that moment of apprehension when a decision is to be made and board members envision owners stopping them in the corridors to telling them how much they HATE the new carpet, lighting, lobby etc!!! And sure enough, it doesn’t matter if the new design is light years better than what they had originally, there will always be those that will choose to complain about it.
So why does this happen? Some would venture to say that people simply like to complain. But I think that view point is incorrect. I think that people are generally quite happy and appreciative of improvement. I think the real problem is communication-or lack of communication. People, regardless of who they are or where they live, just want to feel that they have a voice. In condos, this can be quite a challenge living under one roof with so many different people. Nothing irks a person more when changes have taken place and no one so much as asked their opinion. That’s what gets them riled up-and then they don’t like anything!
So, I have some up with some recommendations that are proven methods to reduce the probability of ‘Owner Revolt’
Engage the owners very early in the process:
I think it is important at the very beginning-before you even hire a designer- is to have a facilitated owners meeting. This gives the owners a chance express what they like about the space, what they think works and what they would like to see improved upon. One good form of questioning is to ask whether the building itself is a true expression of what the building’s demographic is. Whatever the questions posed to the owners, it is important that all of this is kept positive. A skilled facilitator will know how to keep the meeting moving while steering clear of contentious issues. I have run a number of these meetings and they have always been very successful. The best part of this process is that the resulting information is a wonderful synopsis to give to the designer at the beginning of the design process.
Keep the owners informed as to the progress of the work:
When the design is complete, put the boards up in the lobby. Include written a synopsis of key design decisions. During the construction period, keep the owners informed. This can be simply done by regular updates in the building’s newsletter or posts in the elevator. When warranted, apologize for noise or delays. Most important, keep the excitement high by keeping them in the loop and remaining positive.
Share in the Success
As the project begins to wind up, plan an owner’s reception. Who says you can’t have a ribbon cutting ceremony?
As you can see, there are so many ways that condo owners can feel a part of the changes that are taking place in their building. And really, why shouldn’t they? After all, it’s their home isn’t it?

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Feb
10

So What Does it Mean to be Accessible?

by Linda Makins

Last week I attended the Interior Design Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). Wow! What an exciting show it was! From the dramatic ascent up the escalator, I could see that this show would be one of the best shows yet. Huge 3 dimensional animated banners flashed the IDS11 logo. Brilliant spashes of this season’s hot colours of yellow pink and blue created an oversized welcome mat at the top of the escalator. Like a kid in a candy store, I didn’t know which way to turn. There was so much to see, so much to do. It was Trade Day and the show floor was already packed with people. I weaved in and out of the crowds, exploring all that was new and innovative in the world of design. I looked forward to sharing what I saw with my friend Ila who I would be meeting later in the day.
Ila, a good friend, is a brilliant photographer and artist who is considering exhibiting at next year’s show. A smart entrepreneur, she wanted to see what the show was all about before making a committment. Unfortunately for Ila, the show coincided with major hip surgery which left her temporarily in a wheelchair. This was no problem I told her. I would be her guide that day. What I didn’t expect was an experience that would dramtically open my eyes to the world of Universal Design.
First I was surprised to find than my dramtic entrance was not to be shared with my wheelchair bound friend. Off to the far corners of the MTCC, we found ourselves in a cramped elevator which took us first to the loading dock level. When we eventually arrived on the show floor we were greeted by a security guard sitting on a folding chair. Talk about anti-climatic. But, moving on, we worked our way to the artist dispays that she had come to see. A specialized section, it was filled with all sorts of exciting and innovative creations. Unfortunately, the area was so narrow and cramped that I spent my time running interference for her. As I kept moving people out of our way I began to feel like moses parting the waters! We had to laugh when I ran my dear friend and her wheelchair into a pedestal that held a very expensive and very fragile blown glass bowl! Oops!
Once we felt we had had enough of that section, we moved on to the rest of the show. Surprisingly, I continued to struggle with trying to keep my friend moving through the very crowded show floor. The carpet that lined the walkways for example, was a plush cut pile which made wheeling on it extremely sluggish. Also, cables were run under the carpet without the standard ramped troughs. We literally would jolt when we encountered the hidden wiring. I have to say though, the worst offenders of all were the exhibitors that had a small height differntial between the walkway and their booth floor. My dear friend was so disappointed when we had to back away from a number of booths because they were simply not accessible. To a person in a wheelchair a 1-1/2″ level change may as well be a wall.
So that was quite a learning experience for me. As a professional interior designer, I always consider accessability in my designs. After my expereince at the Inteiror Design Show I have a new found appreciation for those that face these challenges every day.
How about you? Have you experienced spaces that are difficult to navigate?

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Dec
26

Sitting in the Client’s Chair

by Linda Makins

Being in a creative field is a double edged sword. Sometimes we find ourselves sitting in the client’s chair and we begin to squirm…

In 2007, we built our dream cottage. Situated in the tiny town of Southampton on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron, it was exactly as I had envisioned it—large wrap around veranda, open concept living space with a 10’ island, a cozy stone fireplace with mantle of reclaimed wood—I loved it all! For the first few years it was easy to ignore the outside. There was so much to focus on with finishing the interior spaces (and let’s face it, it is my forte!) Finally, last summer it hit me as I drove up the driveway and surveyed the tangle of weeds that had taken permanent residence on the front lawn. “It’s time to hire a Landscape Architect!” I declared in disgust. My husband, the outdoorsy half of our union was happy that I finally came to my senses. I had been avoiding dealing with the outside of the cottage for 3 years as I had felt so drained after managing a year of construction. Plus I was still feeling the financial pinch of what it had all cost.

But now, I was ready to forge ahead. With a bit of research, I stumbled upon Benj of Benjart Landscaping   in Owen Sound. One of the only true Landscape Architects in the Georgian Bay region, I felt an immediate connection with him. Right from the first meeting Benj was great. Attentive and responsive, I could see he was going to work out well. But when I saw the first concept sketches my own inner demons started to take over. For me, these early sketches did not reflect what I had in mind. Benj asked if I could clarify a bit more on what I had in mind. But I didn’t know exactly what I wanted other than I was sure it wasn’t what I was looking at. Poor Benj! I could see that he was really trying to get to the core of what was wrong. Not familiar with landscape work, I was at a loss on how to express my own vision. I could see in my mind how we wanted the space to feel like. I knew how we wanted to entertain. I knew that there was a certain understated simplicity that I was striving for. But how do I convey that? I was also really struggling because I totally respected Benj and his work. My inner voice kept telling me, ‘Who are you to question such talent? You are not a Landscape Architect!’

With my own inner wrangling taking place, I was impressed with how Benj took charge. He tapped into my way of communicating as an interior designer. He asked that I sketch my ideas over top of his drawing. That seemed reasonable enough! I did it and send it off to him the next day. Benj saw what I was getting at and I was relieved that Benj felt that my ideas were workable.  We had a little chuckle during our last conversation. As consultants we both know what it was like to have an idea and really want to hang onto it —even if the client doesn’t like it. This exchange reaffirmed in my mind that when you let go and allow the ideas to flow between client and consultant wonderful things can happen.

I will keep you posted on the progress of this project. In the spring, we begin to dig!

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Dec
18

The Retail Window Dilemma at Christmas

by Linda Makins

The Holiday Season is upon us and retailers are scrambling to draw in the crowds. How do you a retailer differentiate yourself from the rest? One of the ways is creating an eye-catching window display.

Growing up in Toronto I recall making that much-anticipated trip downtown to see Simpson’s annual Christmas window. It was always a thrill to see what innovative ideas they had come up with. The fairytale setting of Santa’s Workshop with animated moving characters were a delight for children and adults alike. These memories are dear to us as a culture and formed lasting impressions of the magic of the season. The truth is seasonal window displays are a part of our history and everyone feels a little better in a store that is “dressed” for the season.

 As an interior designer, I enjoy working with small and medium-sized retailers year round. Projects are fast paced and challenging. Also, with the short fixturing periods required by most malls, materials selected must be readily available as well as being attractive and durable. In essence, Interior Designers are hired to assist retailers in creating environments that accommodate their needs with innovative and creative ideas within often times very limited budgets.

This can also be applied to planning seasonal retail décor. There are 4 four key points to take into consideration when planning any seasonal décor: Cost, Maintenance, Storage and of course Effectiveness.

Cost:
How much will these decorative items cost? One must take into consideration that seasonal décor has a short life span. Will this increase your sales substantially? Base your decorating budget on the overall target market of your merchandise.

It is not always necessary to spend huge amounts to have an effective display. Sometimes the most successful displays are the ones that have used some ingenuity, creativity and even humour to get the point across. I once saw a display in New York that created a tree completely out of string. The designer simply used a round base and pulled strings from the base to a point on the ceiling. The result was dramatic, memorable and cost effective.

Maintenance:
Anything that looks like it will be a lot of work to maintain after it is installed probably is. Try to keep the materials used simple and therefore maintenance free.

Place your decorations out of reach and away from public access. Most seasonal displays are meant for viewing and are not the most forgiving when handled roughly. Anything with gold glitter may shed with simple air movement generated by ventilation systems. Also, glitter is quite stubborn once it has logged itself into carpet.

Storage:
If you are planning to have custom garlands made or an elaborate display produced, you probably will want to get several seasons use out of it. Consider storage costs when planning such expenditures. With the cost of retail storage space in today’s market, you may want to consider decorations that can be replenished each year.

 
Effectiveness:
Ultimately the purpose of decorating the store is to draw the customer in. Consider using your product in an unusual fashion to create the display. A simple everyday object can take on new life with some creative thought.

As a retailer, the Christmas Season is your opportunity to make a statement of what you are about. Think about your customer and strive to create for them an enjoyable, shopping experience. Have some fun this year. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results. Cheers!

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Dec
06

In-Suite Renovations Facing the Challenges of Today’s Condominium Market

by Linda Makins

Who would have predicted 30 years ago that condominium living would become the ragingly popular lifestyle that it is today? Condo living fits a multitude of lifestyles; from young urban professionals to “empty nesters”, the condo market offers everyone a place that they can call home. Lionel C. Larry, President of Rosebud Homes in Toronto says, “Today, everybody wants more in their condominium. Even in an entry level unit, granite counter tops are standard as well as stainless steel appliances and extra high ceilings. With lofts especially, most purchasers are first time buyers. The base cost for an entry level unit prohibits developers from offering changes from the standard design layout. Changes drive up the cost of construction and slow down progress.” Based on this fact it is no wonder that renovations or “betterments” to relatively new units are so common.

It is however, the older more established units in mature buildings that are experiencing the renovation boom to its fullest with kitchens and bathrooms being the most popular spaces to be renovated. Typically, older units contain two three-piece bathrooms. Bathtubs take up space that would be better suited for large luxurious shower stalls. Plus, by installing a shower stall in place of a traditional tub, the unit owner has not only made improvements that will enhance the enjoyment of their home, the change will positively affect the bottom line on resale value.

In asking property managers of their experiences of in-suite renovations, John Morielli, RCM of Caber Management Services Inc. recalls, “In some of our older buildings, kitchens were designed back to back. In one particular case, an incident in which a new bathtub was not hooked up to the drain properly. This resulted in water damage that worked its way down to the lobby. Although it was clearly outlined in the condominium’s declaration that any damages to common areas resulting from in-suite renovations are fully the responsibility of the unit owner, it was the inconvenience and disruption to the building as a whole that was most disturbing.”

So what are some of the steps that a condominium corporation can take to reduce the risk of such situations? Condominium boards and property managers can prepare themselves for this growing trend by ensuring that their declaration has established clear protocols and standards of practice for in-suite renovations. By insisting that without exception a letter of intent be submitted to the board to obtain approval for any type of renovation, the wheels have been set in motion. Secondly, if the layout is being altered in any way, insist on a space plan clearly outlining the changes to be made. And finally, ask that a full set of working drawings and details be submitted for final approval by the board.

Ultimately however, it is the owner’s responsibility to retain professionals every step of the way. A professionally trained interior designer that specializes in condominium design will possess a full comprehension of the complexities of in-suite renovations.

 It is an exciting time in the world of condominiums. With the growing number of condominium developments on the market today it makes sense for property managers and boards to anticipate the resulting shift in tastes of unit owners. A condominium unit is a home and its interior should reflect the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Individual tastes and preferences will always prevail and as a result there will be more and more renovations contemplated over the coming years.

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Dec
03

Interior Design is Like Sushi

by Linda Makins

With the IIDEX show rapidly approaching I have been reflecting on some of the pivotal moments in my career. One of those moments happened a few years ago and it has stayed with me since.
I was attending the Interior Design Show at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. By mid day I decided to have a light lunch. I opted for sushi. As I placed my order I watched the young fellow in the paper hat reach into a picnic cooler and draw out a handful of sticky rice. He sliced some raw salmon and tuna and placed it in a plastic container with a pinch of ginger and a dollop of wasabi. Suddenly I lost my appetite. It was at that point that I had an epiphany. Interior Design was like sushi!
My love for sushi goes way back. My first experience with eating sushi was 30 years ago. I learned from the chef that day that sushi was an art form and the sushi master took many years to develop his skill. Cutting the fish was a specialty in and of itself. Over time I watched sushi gain such popularity that it became the latest fast food. Soon people were purchasing kits to make sushi in their own homes.
I wondered could this be happening to the interior design industry? Could it be a victim of its own success? TV shows promote the notion that things can “just happen” over a weekend and design is something you simply have an eye for. The truth is it takes years to become a professional interior designer. Creative ideas require ample time to formulate and with our world moving faster and faster sometimes it is the design process which suffers.
I considered my own fast paced business. Was I just going through the motions, meeting deadlines and not allowing myself to be truly creative? I changed my mind about the sushi. As I walked away from the kiosk I reminded myself to never become the guy in the paper hat.

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Nov
26

Your Home as a Metaphor

by Linda Makins

Everything around you is a reflection of your inner being. The visible realities surrounding you are symbols of your soul. We all have conscious and unconscious beliefs about ourselves. The beliefs that specifically dictate the quality of our life are our subconscious beliefs. This subconscious programming that we all have directs the way we see the world and influences the way others see us. If you are not sure of what your subconscious energy field is projecting into the world, simply look at your life. Your personal world is created or manifested by your core beliefs.
What does all of this mean? It means that by changing the energy around you (such as your home), you create a new energy field. For example if you want to create abundance in your life, you can start by creating the illusion or feeling of luxury in your personal space. If you want to feel a deep inner peace, create an environment that is an escape from the noisy outside world. Scented candles, soothing music and a sumptuous palette of colours can help to create your sanctuary. Listen to your inner soul. It will tell you what it needs. Your home can be a living affirmation of what you want to create in your life now and in the future.

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